Lenovo IdeaPad U1 and Motorola Atrix 4G: 2-in-1 hybrid PCs make their debut

While we have seen netbook and tablet hybrids before, a whole new class of hybrid PCs debuted at CES 2011. We take a closer look at the IdeaPad U1 and the Motorola Atrix 4G, two innovative devices that will take off from the prototype mode to mass-market availability soon.


While we have seen netbook and tablet hybrids before, a whole new class of hybrid PCs debuted at CES 2011. We take a closer look at the IdeaPad U1 and the Motorola Atrix 4G, two innovative devices that will take off from the prototype mode to mass-market availability this year.

Lenovo IdeaPad U1

The Ideapad U1 combines the functionality of a netbook and a tablet in one device, thanks to a detachable screen that can be used as a tablet. It was first demoed last year at CES 2010 sporting a Linux-based OS, and while the idea never quite took off, the concept wasn't shelved. At this year's CES, the U1 sports a new set of specs and features, incorporating an Android 2.2 OS on the LePad tablet, and Windows 7 on the clamshell dock.

As far as convergence devices are concerned, this PC has it all - ARM and Intel Cores, powering Android and Windows 7 respectively. Lenovo claims that the IdeaPad U1’s laptop and tablet modes will each enable five hours of 3G Web browsing and 60 hours of 3G standby. What's more, the LePad slate can be docked to the IdePad's clamshell to share battery power and 3G wireless connection, and sync data and documents. Lenovo’s 'Hybrid Switch technology' enables seamless toggling between the two usage modes while browsing. The IdeaPad U1 will retail in the US by June at $999, and will go for sale first in China.

Official specs and features:
    * Stylish, easy-to-carry slate – less than 2 lbs
    * Genuine Windows®7 Home Premium (when docked)
    * Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 1.3Ghz processor with Android 2.2 OS (when mobile)
    * 32GB SD
    * Unique Push engine for real-time content
    * 10.1” HD multitouch screen
    * Up to eight hours of battery charge
    * While the LePad can be purchased on its own, the U1 base will only be sold as a full package with the slate included

Motorola Atrix 4G

Gracing the Best Of CES 2011 list, the Atrix 4G is an exciting new GSM smartphone with a 4-inch (960x540 resolution) screen presently running Android 2.2 on a dual-core processor.

While the specs are certainly top of the line to qualify it as a super-phone, what seperates the Atrix from the rest of the pack is the set of optional accessories: the smartphone chip (reportedly a Tegra 2) can power a laptop dock that has no processing power of its own, but encases a 11.6-inch frame, keyboard, and a mouse. Motorola has done a fair bit of work on the Atrix 4G to smoothen the integration - the phone's homescreens and apps can be launched, emails and text messgaes can be accessed. The Atrix also runs the full desktop version of Firefox, including Flash and has awed anyone who got a hands-on demo.

The Atrix 4G also works with a HD Multimedia Dock that lets you connect a keyboard, mouse, speakers, and an HDMI-compatible monitor.

Motorola ATRIX 4G
Talk and Standby Time1	Usage Time/Talk Time: 3G = 9 hrs; GSM = 8.8 hrs Standby Time: 3G = 250 hrs; GSM = 264 hrs
Bands/Modes	WCDMA 850/1900/2100, GSM 850/900/1900/1800
Weight	135g
Dimensions	63.50 wide x 117.75 long x 10.95 thin
OS	Android 2.2 - upgrade to 2.3 is planned for later this year
Processor	2 processor cores running at 1GHz each
Battery	1930.00 mAh
Connectivity	3.5mm, micro USB 2.0 HS, Corporate Sync, BOTA, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz & 5GHz 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth2 2.1 EDR
Display	4.0” qHD (Quarter High Definition) (960 x 540)
Messaging/Web/Apps	MMS, SMS, Email (Corporate Sync, Google Mail, POP3/IMAP embedded, Push Email)
Audio	AAC, AAC+, AAC+ Enhanced, AMR NB, MP3, WMA v10
Video	HD 1080 p capable Capture – 720p MPEG4 and H.264 at 30 fps (1080p will be supported via SW upgrade post-launch) Playback – 1080p MPEG4, H.264, WMV, Xvid at 30 fps (Playback through HDMI is 720p at launch and will be upgraded to 1080p via SW upgrade post-launch) Streaming – VGA in MPEG4, H.264, H.263 at 30 fps
Camera	5 MP AF, Digital Zoom with LED Flash , 2nd VGA imager for video chat self image capture
Storage	16GB on board – supports up to 32GB microSD (Total 48GB)
Memory	1GB LP DDR2 RAM
Form Factor	Touch screen
Sensors	Accelerometer, Ambient Light, Proximity
Antenna	Internal
Address Book/Calendar	MOTOBLUR aggregates Facebook®, MySpace, Twitter and Gmail messages and contacts as well as syncs and merges your work contacts, email and calendar
Browsers	Android Web Kit with Adobe® Flash® Player, Mozilla 3.6.13 in Webtop Application
Location Services	eCompass, aGPS with Google Maps™, Google Latitude™, Google Maps Street View

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